Respiratory Diseases

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• Hamman syndrome with a rare feature of pneumorrhachis – an unusual complication of polysubstance abuse and e-vaping Muhammad Saad Anwar, Anosh Aslam Khan, Richa Dua, Fatima Kausar Nawaz, Farhan Khalid, Doantrang Du Views: 26 HTML: 3 PDF: 17

  Hamman syndrome is defined as dissection of air in mediastinum and skin fascia usually due to increased intrathoracic pressure. The air leak tends to make its way into pleural and pericardial layers; however, in rare instances air can also dissect into epidural spaces, regarded as pneumorrhachis. We present a case of a young male with a history of polysubstance abuse and e-vaping, who presented with symptoms of altered mental status. Given the concerning physical examination, a computed tomography of the chest was undertaken, which showed pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pneumorrhachis. The patient was closely monitored in the intensive care unit and improved after symptomatic management. The symptoms of pneumorrhachis depend on the volume and location of air in intracranial and intraspinal space. Although asymptomatic in our case, it is crucial for clinicians to be aware that pneumorrhachis with Hamman syndrome can potentially cause neurological deficits and cardiopulmonary arrest in severe cases due to increased intraspinal and intracranial hypertension, emphasising the need for close monitoring.

• “A double twist” presentation – a case report of purulent cardiac tamponade following a rare complication of small-cell lung cancer radiotherapy Diana Amorim, Carolina Miguel Gonçalves, Margarida Cabral, Sónia Silva, Fátima Saraiva, João Morais, Salvato Feijó Views: 41 HTML: 3 PDF: 33

  Background: Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis that requires prompt treatment. While radiotherapy may enhance survival when superior vena cava syndrome is present, radiation therapy–induced pericardial disease can be a potential complication.
  Case Report: A 55-year-old man, who recently underwent radiotherapy for stage IV small-cell lung cancer complicated by superior vena cava syndrome, presented with chest pain and dyspnea. In the emergency room, he was dyspneic, hypotensive, and tachycardic. Pulmonary auscultation revealed the absence of lung sounds on the right. The initial electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in lateral leads and in lead DII, with reciprocal changes in lead DIII. A bedside transthoracic echocardiogram revealed cardiac tamponade and emergent pericardiocentesis was performed, removing 500 ml of purulent fluid, resulting in an immediate clinical improvement. Thoracentesis was also performed, showing no empyema. Large spectrum empirical antibiotic therapy was started. Cultures from the pericardial fluid and peripheral blood grew multi-sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cytological analysis of the pericardial fluid was consistent with infection. The patient improved after 2 weeks of targeted antibiotic therapy and underwent the first cycle of chemotherapy. He was discharged with an early scheduled pulmonology appointment.
  Conclusions: Although the most common causes of pericardial effusion in lung cancer are malignant, non-malignant etiologies should also be considered. This patient had an infectious pericardial effusion most probably due to a pericardial-mediastinal mass fistula caused by radiotherapy. This was a diagnostic challenge, both in the emergency room as well in the inpatient setting.

• A case of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis due to pulmonary infarction, mimicking cryptogenic organising pneumonia Saki Yanoma, Motoi Ugajin, Hiasanori Kani Views: 52 HTML: 7 PDF: 42

  A patient initially treated with corticosteroids for cryptogenic organising pneumonia following pulmonary infarction, developed a worsening condition with progressive cavitary formations in both lower lung lobes. Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography revealed a pulmonary embolism, and serum anti-Aspergillus IgG antibody analysis yielded a strong positive result. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with pulmonary infarction with Aspergillus infection; organising pneumonia in surrounding areas reflected the repair process. Following treatment with anticoagulants and antifungal agents, the patient was successfully discharged. Hence, pulmonary infarction should be considered in cases of refractory lung lesions.

• Atypical pulmonary metastasis of prostate adenocarcinoma: a rare phenomenon Asma Jamil, Ruhma Ali, Amy Paige, Richard Miller, Nirav Mistry, Ahmed Abbas, Abu Tahir Taha Views: 109 PDF: 76 HTML: 8

  Prostate cancer can metastasise to the lung. Most common presentations described in the literature are solitary pulmonary nodules, lymphangitic spread and, rarely, pleural effusion.
  We describe a case of prostate adenocarcinoma with diffuse bilateral reticulonodular and lymphangitic pulmonary metastasis, and malignant pleural effusion while being on androgen deprivation therapy.

• Lung underdevelopment: case reports and a literature review Ali Al-Tarbsheh, Ramez Halaseh, Veronica Williams, Kaila Schultz, Nydia Martinez Views: 68 HTML: 8 PDF: 65

  Lung underdevelopment is a rare congenital anomaly with variable clinical significance and presenting symptoms. It usually manifests during childhood. We present two cases of developmental lung anomaly subtypes and discuss clinical presentation and outcomes in such patient populations.

• Bilateral pleural effusion in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis managed by VATS pleurodesis Jonny Jonny, Laurencia Violetta Views: 102 HTML: 11 PDF: 77

  Pleuroperitoneal leak as a cause of pleural effusions in peritoneal dialysis is a rare but important complication to consider in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients presenting with recurrent progressive dyspnoea. Generally, these effusions are unilateral and right-sided, resulting in shortness of breath and reduced ultrafiltration volume, which are initially managed by peritoneal rest. We describe a case of bilateral pleural effusions in a 57-year-old female on chronic CAPD who developed recurrent progressive dyspnoea but maintained adequate dialysis output. A chest radiograph revealed bilateral pleural effusions with high glucose content, and scintigraphy confirmed the existence of a definite pleuroperitoneal communication. She was managed by temporary substitution to haemodialysis, followed by suturing of the shunt and successful video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pleurodesis with an aldehyde-based surgical glue. Unexplained recurring dyspnoea in chronic CAPD should raise the suspicion of a possible pleuroperitoneal leak, even in patients without an apparent loss of ultrafiltration. Pleurodesis using an aldehyde-based adhesive was effective and tolerated well by our patient and may be considered in managing cases of recurrent pleural effusion.

• PET scanning may not distinguish benign schwannoma from metastasis in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma Motoi Ugajin, Masakatsu Yamashita, Hisanori Kani Views: 184 HTML: 83 PDF: 174

  A 69-year-old man was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma with metastasis because two masses in the right intercostal space and right back muscle showed high accumulation on positron emission tomography (PET). The 6-month treatment with osimertinib significantly reduced his lung lesion, but no changes were observed in the metastatic lesions. Needle biopsy revealed that the lesion in the right back muscle was a schwannoma. Surgical resection revealed that the right intercostal lesion was also a schwannoma; subsequently, a right upper lobectomy was performed. The patient was finally diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma without metastasis. High accumulations of lesions observed on PET may indicate schwannomas.

• Legionnaires' disease complicated with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury Xin Ya See, Omer Ahmed, Nikita Nand, Waleed Quwatli Views: 378 HTML: 72 PDF: 321

  Legionnaire's disease can cause rare and severe complications such as rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. This case report details a 45-year-old male patient who presented with features of Legionnaire's disease. Laboratory results showed a significantly elevated serum creatinine kinase level and an increased creatinine level. Imaging showed right lower lobe consolidation, and a positive urine antigen test confirmed Legionnaire's disease. The patient was administered azithromycin and underwent fluid repletion to manage the rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, resulting in improved creatinine kinase levels and kidney function. He was discharged and continued on azithromycin for 10 days. His outpatient follow-up showed that creatinine kinase levels had further decreased. This case report emphasises the importance of early recognition and management of Legionnaire's disease and its rare but severe complications.

• A rare case of stroke as a complication after percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in a patient with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism and patent foramen ovale Marina López-Rubio, Aurora Gómez-Tórtola, Iago Sousa-Casasnovas, Jorge García-Carreño, Marta Vales-Montero, Crhistian Mario Oblitas, Pablo Demelo-Rodríguez, Francisco Galeano-Valle Views: 244 HTML: 54 PDF: 280

  We present an extremely rare case of a patient with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism treated with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, complicated with stroke as a form of paradoxical embolism through a previously unknown patent foramen ovale. We reviewed the literature for indications, efficacy, and safety of this procedure, as well as for experience on this technique in patients with patent foramen ovale.

• Rhabdomyosarcoma of the nasal cavity: a case report Meiying Huang, Bifan Deng Views: 313 HTML: 43 PDF: 361

  Introduction: Rhabdomyosarcoma is a high-grade malignant neoplasm with skeletal muscle differentiation; a common soft tissue sarcoma in children but considered one of the rarest in adults.
  Case description: We report a case of 35-year-old male with a chronic productive cough and haemoptysis for five days. A CT scan of the nasopharynx revealed a blocked left maxillary and ethmoid sinus with bone destruction. These findings raised a suspicion of a tumour, and trans-nasal endoscopic sinus surgery was performed.
  Discussion: Nasal rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare adult malignant tumour. Most patients have lymphatic metastasis or skull base tumour infiltration at the time of the initial diagnosis and treatment, which poses a challenge to the diagnosis and management.
  Conclusion: Nasal acinar rhabdomyosarcoma, one of the histopathological types of rhabdomyosarcoma, has rapid disease progression and high mortality. Therefore, the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma requires a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy to work together to achieve the best care for the patient.